considering ebay

[Darrell]

I love to paint miniatures and I do a pretty fair job at it. I'd like to hear some opinions and suggestions from the experienced ebayers here.

Do the DBA armies typically move well on ebay?

What is a reasonable expectation of an ebay purchaser regarding DBA armies as to painting quality, basing quality, magnetic bases?

Extra photos and gallery photo kind of go without saying - any other useful marketing tips?

I currently have early bedouins + camp with several more that I am prep'ing.

Thanks

[Minimus Maximus]

I have painted and sold several DBA armies on Ebay. Mostly they sell well, however prices seem to have fallen a little (certainly in Europe) recently. A decent army I find goes for somewhere in the GPB£50 region. The final price is often (but not always) proportionate to the quality of the painting and basing, plus of course the popularity of the period. I have to say I have to my horror seen some right old dogs sell for what I think is an outlandish price. Also the converse is true, my latest offering, a Hittite Empire all options army recently sold for less than £40, and (even if I do say so myself) I felt the quality of the painting was in exess of many armies I have seen sell for much more!

Other good sellers are batches of troop types as opposed to whole armies. Things like a number of bases of generic medieval crossbowmen, and half a dozen bases of generic biblical Psiloi have sold well for me. Generic troops from popular eras are always popular. That way the DBMers get the troop types they want without having to buy all the extra elements that make up a full DBA army.

Good photos help, as does a relatively low starting price (although that can be a gamble!).

You could always offer yourself for commissions, at least that way you know you have a buyer before you even open the paint pot.

I don't think you will ever become a millionare through DBA on Ebay, but for me it has meant that the hobby has become self funding. In the end though, Ebay as with any auction is always a gamble (fun though).

[wodge]

Good quality painting, good quality basing and good photos are needed to sell well on ebay. Also you need to do all option armies.
Ebay is a great way to start as you can paint in your own time, and it can lead to commisions. Start with a lowish price, I usually started with enough to cover the cost of the figures. Extras, such as camps or markers all add to the sale-ability. I always offer postage worldwide as well, gives you a much wider market.

good luck - give it a try

[Xavi]

Photos!!!

I am a buyer, and I have to say that photos are the most important point here. i have missed some opportunities (I know because a friend of mine fot some of them!) because I thought the minis were bad due to the pictures. I have also got gambles that payed out (and total worthless crap) as a consequence of poor pictures. if your quality as a painter is decent or upper I would aim to shot the best photos you can, and as close as you can of most of most elements or groups of the same elements from different angles. 6-8 pictures usually is enough if they are good quality. A link to your fanaticus gallery (if you have one) might also help in sales if the pictures there are good

Cheers,

Xavi

[Bob. (and his dog)]

Let me back up Xavi and the others regarding photos. I do not undestand how people can even bother to put up items with photos that show almost nothing except maybe the number of figures in the group. The figs must be clearly visible with color and detail showing. A group shot is necesary and then some close ups.

I personally prefer unbased figures, or those with a simple base that I can remove as I do all my figures an standard bases. What do others think about the extra work for basing figures compared to selling with out basing?

[Chris Brantley]

What do others think about the extra work for basing figures compared to selling with out basing?

I typically buy 1-3 armies a year on Ebay and am very selective. Generally I don't buy figures if I think I will have to rebase them. I do buy based armies, however, if I like the basing job. Often times they are better than I do myself.

Lately, the big issue for me is the type of base. I prefer thicker bases, preferrably Litko.

I've never bought an army sold on painting sticks, but would consider doing so if I saw any that I liked.

[Darrell]

Right, well thanks for the suggestions. Do you think it wise to go to fansites and post up links to the auction or that usually frowned on by the fansites....I would think it would be unpopular.

[Gregorius]

Hi Darrell,

I tend to buy on e-Bay, or, build and paint myself between 3 and 5 armies per year. What I look for when buying armies is the quality of the pictures and if I can see the quality of the paint job, whether the figures used are indicated, if all options are offered and whether the basing is accurate. Extras like camp followers and camps add to the allure of the army. I also tend to set a maximum I am prepared to pay, that takes into account postage to Australia, and stick to it. If I don't win the auction then so be it.

Hope this helps,